Detachable basket with vacuum attachments

ABSTRACT

A detachable basket is quickly fastened to a substantially flat surface of a watercraft such as a board. The detachable basket includes at least one quick fastener that includes a flexible skirt defining a vacuum chamber. A fluid evacuator is arranged as part of the vacuum chamber and allows fluid to be dispelled from within the vacuum chamber to create a negative pressure within the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber partially collapses to create a seal between the quick fastener and the flat surface of the watercraft. The fluid evacuator may be opened to allow atmospheric pressure to enter the vacuum chamber to quickly disengage the flexible skirt from the flat surface.

There are no related patent applications.

The present application was not subject to federal research and/or development funding.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Generally, the present invention relates to a detachable basket that may be easily and quickly fastened to a substantially flat surface via at least one vacuum producing fastener or attachment device. More specifically, the invention is a detachable basket having at least one hand actuated or finger actuated suction-creating fastening device affixed to the bottom of the basket. When said fastening device is activated, it secures the detachable basket to a substantially flat surface. This fastening device develops a negative air pressure between an upper interior flexible surface of the fastening device and the substantially flat surface. The fastening device is affixed to the bottom of the detachable basket to secure the detachable basket to substantially flat surface in a quick and simple manner. The atmospheric pressure thereby presses against the exterior surface of the fastening device to force the detachable basket downward against the top side of the substantially flat surface to assure a solid seal between the two. In a preferred embodiment, the detachable basket is affixed to an upper surface of a watercraft such as a board. The fastening device preferably includes a substantially rigid frame including a cylindrical. concave or canonical region that defines a cavity which receives a portion of a deformed diaphragm having an edge that defines a track to which an upper side of a skirt of the flexible, resilient diaphragm attaches. In the preferred embodiment, a vacuum creating mechanism comprises the fastening device and includes a thumb actuated lever, which when activated the lever deforms the diaphragm to create a vacuum. The lever may include a spring arranged within the cavity that receives a portion of the deformed diaphragm that aids in returning the diaphragm to a first position corresponding to a detached phase of the invention. The diaphragm has a shape memory and tends to assume a flat disk shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several baskets for use on watercraft or boards. The terms “watercraft” and “boards” are used interchangeably throughout the disclosure and should be interpreted as referring to any type of watercraft or board used for moving across the surface of water. In accord with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112 and disclosing the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be recognized that the invention is a combination suction mechanism and basket for temporally securing items to various other automated modes of transportation or sporting vehicles. As should be understood by those reading this disclosure, a basket for use on a watercraft must be firmly attached to the watercraft to prevent loss during sporting activities. To that end, the basket may be permanently fastened to the board. Such “permanent fastening” requires the drilling into the surface of the watercraft to install permanent fasteners or hardware. This alteration of the watercraft may render the board nonfunctional for other sporting activities. Moreover, installing a basket to a watercraft cannot destabilize the watercraft. By way of example, the following patents and publications are representative of the state of the art.

U.S. Patent Application Number 2006/0249513 to Duke discloses a surfboard storage compartment. The watertight compartment is mounted in or is imbedded in a surfboard and is used for storing objects.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,772 to Stockhausen discloses a sailboard cargo carrier. The carrier structure permits easy loading and unloading of gear on the sailboard while creating minimal interference with sailing use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,720 to Jarschke discloses a kayak deck pack. The deck pack sits attached to the kayak deck directly in front of the paddler allowing easy access to items within the pack via a rear facing zipper.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,835 to Hollingsworth discloses a storage capsule for surfboard or the like. The capsule includes a cylindrical housing, a lid and a gasket member mounted upon the lid for providing a watertight seal between the housing and lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,254 to Hill et al. discloses a universal container holder. The container holder is designed for receiving, supporting and orienting a beverage container in an upright configuration. The holder is characterized by a clip element fitted with a supporting suction cup.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,860 to Kraft discloses a surf safe. The modular receptacle consisting of a body, two stringer clamps, a lid, a finger dial, and a gasket for providing a watertight seal. The receptacle is recessed in a surfboard or the like and provides a safe watertight containment of items.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,952 to Bruce discloses a lure storage container. The container includes a vertical receptacle positioned therein, a panel received by the vertical receptacle and a lure receiving member. The container includes a hinged lid, a handle and back side in which suction cups may be fastened in order for the container to be attached to any surface on the interior of the boat.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,427 to Gattuso et al. discloses a fishing rod and reel holder. The holder includes a cylinder having openings at both ends for receiving rod handles. A J-shaped slot in the cylinder accepts a reel mount. Suction cups mount the body securely to a surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,952 to Chichetti discloses a portable and removable fishing rod holding device. The device comprises of a pair of horizontal support members and a plurality of vertically spaced and hollow tubular fishing rod holders. Secured to the back surface of the supporting members are a plurality of suction cups for enabling the device to be portable as well as attachable to and removable from any surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,025 to Oathout discloses a paddle support having a storage device. The paddle is retained in the upper portion of a support and has a base section that may be connected to the storage device. The storage device may rest directly on the floor of the vessel or may be suspended over the opening of a vessel by a support strap.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,190 to Godek discloses a kayak storage cooler. The cooler has an enclosure with a rigid outside surface and a contoured bottom. The cooler has a plurality of securing tabs disposed about the rigid outside surface of the enclosure.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,243 to Thompson discloses a kayak accessory pack. The water-tight storage pack is removably attached to a kayak deck and accessible by an operator during kayak operation. The pack also provides lighting and fishing rod holders.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,867 to Blakely discloses a surfboard deck grip with storage compartment. The storage compartment is waterproof and used for safely storing small articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is a detachable basket comprising a frame and having sidewalls and an open top. Installation of the basket does not require the alteration of the board. Openings are preferably arranged within the sidewalls for draining water from within the basket. Otherwise, the basket should be watertight or include drain openings to ensure stability of the board. That is, if water is retained in the basket, the watercraft to which the basket is attached may become unstable or even top heavy and capsize. Thus, the basket must be constructed to ensure that it does not adversely affect the performance and stability of the watercraft. Moreover, the detachable basket is securely fastened to the surface of the board in a quick and easy manner. In the preferred embodiment, the vacuum producing fastener includes a lever that may be toggled between two positions. The lever is coupled to the exterior center of a pliable, flexible membrane or diaphragm which includes a circular skirt that draws down against the surface of the watercraft. The diaphragm is formed from a rubber, polymer, or elastomeric material that includes a shape memory. By simply moving a lever from a first position to a second position, the skirt of a diaphragm is engaged against the substantially flat surface of the watercraft. In the first position, the diaphragm is initially flattened against the clean flat surface of the board. Thereafter, a center of the diaphragm is forcibly pulled away from the flattened surface to create a negative air pressure causing atmospheric pressure to push down against the exterior of the fastener and thereby secure the detachable basket to the watercraft.

In one instance, a fishing rod holder, other device, or attached accessory secures items to the basket and may be included as an additional feature on the basket. Flexible cords such as bungee cords or the like may be attached to the basket for securing additional items to the board.

The bottom of the basket includes at least one hand actuated vacuum attachment device that secures the basket to a top side of the substantially flat nonporous upper surface of preferably a watercraft such as a board. A plurality of attachment devices may be incorporated into the basket. In one instance fasteners, such as screws, pass through fastening elements of the bottom of the basket and attach to a top side of the attachment device. In this manner, the attachment device is secured to the bottom of the basket.

The attachment device includes a mechanical diaphragm manipulator, a pump, an evacuator; or a fluid removing mechanism for drawing a negative pressure across a portion of a diaphragm that defines a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber includes a portion of the outer surface of the watercraft defined by a flexible skirt on an exterior edge of the diaphragm. The top side of the flexible skirt is fixed to an underside of a rigid frame defining the attachment device and the cavity for receiving a portion of the deformed diaphragm. The rigid frame may be formed as part of the frame of the basket and may include a composite, plastic, metal or other lightweight material. The flexible skirt sits atop the substantially flat nonporous upper surface of the watercraft to create a negative pressure seal when the diaphragm is mechanically manipulated. In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm manipulating mechanism is a lever that is toggled between two positions. In the first position, air pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragm is substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure and the diaphragm is substantially flat. After the diaphragm is arranged atop a clean flat nonporous surface of the board, the lever is toggled into a second position which manipulates the shape of the diaphragm mechanically or by withdrawing air or other fluid from within the cavity that houses the deformed portion of the diaphragm. The skirt or edge of the diaphragm preferably includes a groove. The diaphragm is maintained in place by an edge or track formed on the underside of the frame that defines the cavity and which mates with the groove in the diaphragm. Thus, the underside of the diaphragm which is arranged against the surface of the watercraft and the surface of the watercraft defined by the skirt of the diaphragm, together define a vacuum chamber. The skirt of the diaphragm is forced downward by atmospheric pressure external to the vacuum chamber to cause the attachment device to be solidly fastened to the watercraft.

It is an object of the invention to teach a detachable basket that is simple to attach to a substantially flat surface of a watercraft such as a board and which may be easily engaged to the watercraft and detached from the watercraft.

It is an additional object of the invention to teach a detachable basket that includes a vacuum attachment mechanism arranged at a bottom thereof. The basket is arranged above a clean flat surface of a board and quickly attached thereto through the use of one's finger or hand.

It is a further object of the invention to teach an attachment mechanism that includes a vacuum chamber defined by a diaphragm that includes a flexible skirt which is arranged against a flat surface of a watercraft.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned from practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be obtained by means of instrumentalities in combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the basket taken from the rear and having at least one vacuum attachment mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the basket taken from above.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the basket taken from below.

FIG. 4A is a cross section view showing the vacuum attachment mechanism in a first position. FIG. 4B is a cross section view showing the vacuum attachment mechanism in a second position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the basket fastened atop a board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are more fully explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forth in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the features of one embodiment may be employed with the other embodiments as the skilled artisan recognizes, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and techniques may be omitted to avoid obscuring the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments set forth herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the detachable basket 1. The basket includes an open top 2 and sidewalls 3 comprised of an open grid work 4. The top and bottom of the basket includes a reinforced ring of material and may be generally formed in the shape of a plastic milk crate. A plurality of rod holders 10 for holding the reel end of a fishing pole is arranged along an exterior front end of basket.

The bottom of the basket 1 includes a grid work of openings 15 formed as more clearly shown in FIG. 2. Permanent fasteners 20, represented by screws in FIG. 2 attach a plurality of rapid fastening mechanisms to grid work that forms the bottom of the basket. As shown, the bottom comprises a plurality of grid work extending from the bottom ring that surrounds and forms the bottom exterior edge of the basket. The rapid fastening mechanisms 30 are secured together via a central coupler 35.

Each rapid fastening mechanism 30 comprises a diaphragm manipulating mechanism, shown as represented in this embodiment as lever 31 that extends through an opening 39 in frame 34 and when arranged in a first position allows a diaphragm 32 arranged there under to maintain an atmospheric pressure, as represented in FIG. 4A. When toggled into a second position, the lever 31 deforms the diaphragm 32 by pulling a portion of it into cavity 33 as defined by frame member 34. A vacuum chamber 36 is created between the substantially flat surface 105 of board 100 to seal the flexible skirt 32A to an upper side of the board. Thus, the basket 1 may be coupled to the board 100 as shown in FIG. 5, by toggling the levers of each rapid fastening mechanism to the first position. Spring 38 aids in returning the diaphragm 32 to its natural shape as a flat disk.

It should be noted that rivets, bolts or other fasteners may be substituted for the screws shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Moreover, it should be recognized that the mechanically actuated rapid fastening mechanism may be formed from or comprised of a pair of rods connected via a pivot point whereby in the first position, the basket is detached from the water craft and in the second position, the center of the vacuum diaphragm is pulled away from the surface to which the basket is attached such that the skirt or exterior perimeter of the diaphragm is drawn downward securely against the underlying material upon which the basket by creating a vacuum chamber.

The present fastening ability of the invention creates a reliable mechanism for securing the basket to the board or watercraft. Prior to deformation, the entire face of the diaphragm initially contacts the board to spread the vacuum chamber across a larger surface area and increase and distribute atmospheric forces accordingly.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense. From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

I claim:
 1. A detachable basket comprising: a plurality of side walls, an open top and a bottom; and, a fastening device that includes a diaphragm having an underside and a flexible skirt arranged around an edge of the diaphragm, said flexible skirt defines a portion of a vacuum chamber which is created when the detachable basket is fastened to a substantially flat surface, said fastening device further comprising a diaphragm manipulating mechanism that manipulates the diaphragm to create the vacuum chamber which includes a seal defined by the flexible skirt between the underside of the diaphragm and the substantially flat surface arranged there beneath, and said fastening device further including a rigid frame member into which said diaphragm is mounted.
 2. The detachable basket of claim 1 further comprising at least one fishing rod holder arranged on one of the side walls.
 3. The detachable basket of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm manipulating mechanism is a lever that extends through the frame and toggles between a first and second position, wherein when said lever is in a first position the diaphragm is substantially flat and when said lever is in a second position a vacuum chamber is created and maintained at a negative pressure to cause atmospheric pressure surrounding the vacuum chamber to push against the flexible skirt and attach the detachable basket to the substantially flat surface.
 4. The rigid frame member of claim 1 further comprising a conical shaped formed region having an open end into which said diaphragm is deformably affixed.
 5. A combination detachable basket and device that attaches the basket to a substantially flat, planar surface, said device comprising: a frame member having a substantially conical shape and formed from a lightweight solid material that is rigid, an opening extending through said frame member; a deformation producing member having at least a portion passing through said opening and having a first position and a second position; a flat circularly shaped diaphragm said diaphragm having a first side, a second side, and an outer skirt which seats on the substantially flat, planar surface when the basket is fastened thereto wherein said deformation producing member is actuated to deform the flat circularly shaped diaphragm to create a vacuum chamber.
 6. The combination detachable basket and device that attaches the basket to a substantially flat, planar surface of claim 5 further comprising at least one fishing rod holder arranged on one of the side walls.
 7. The combination detachable basket and device that attaches the basket to a substantially flat, planar surface of claim 5 wherein said deformation producing member is a lever that extends through the frame member and toggles between a first and second position, wherein when said lever is in a first position the diaphragm is substantially flat and when said lever is in a second position a vacuum chamber is created and maintained at a negative pressure to cause atmospheric pressure surrounding the vacuum chamber to push against the flexible skirt and attach the detachable basket to the substantially flat surface.
 8. The combination detachable basket and device that attaches the basket to a substantially flat, planar surface of claim 5 wherein said frame member comprises a conical shaped formed region having an open end into which said diaphragm is deformably affixed. 